We didn’t plan to hunt this weekend, but my other plans fell apart so we tried to make the best of the situation. There was 50-mile foot race in the CF on Saturday and many of the trails go through or near the areas I like to hunt so we had to find other areas.
We went in at Straddle Line and headed southwest up the A line to a small cut. It was really windy but decided to try it anyways. After my wife got set up we left her and took a hike to the area where I found this pile a couple months ago.
We circled the beaver pond and though we did find some beaver sign and deer sign, we didn’t find any bear sign.
After about 40 minutes we went back to the truck and within minutes Beth was on her way back. It was cold and very windy so we moved on. We continued southwest on the A line to check out a couple of areas and after finding no suitable places to call from, we sent to the Porter store for breakfast.
After breakfast we headed northeast on the C line to do some more scouting. We then backtracked to HWY 12 and then east and north on the E line. Everywhere we went the wind seemed to follow. The one time we did find a suitable place to call it threatened to start raining. But she wanted to try so we got her all set up and then we went back to the truck to read and play games. She tried to make it an hour but managed about 40 minutes with the rain. As she was hiking out the rain stopped and the sun came out again but she was too wet to stay out there.
All in all it was a rough day and we drove over 100 miles.
Sunday the weather seemed to cooperate and though it started out a bit cool, once the sun came up it warmed right up.
On our hike in I found a recent set of cougar tracks and they continued the same direction we were headed. After maybe a ¼ mile I found this spot where it apparently decided to sit and survey the landscape.
After another ¼ mile we found a nice spot to call into a draw and some timber. Here is a view from the caller back to the shooter.
Here is the view from the shooters position.
Left
Middle
Right
We left her with plans to return in two hours. The youngster and I drove a few miles to a trail crossing and took off for a hike. We went up and down the creek with only a few deer and coon tracks for our efforts. When we came to a bridge he decided to drop rocks in the creek.
After dropping a few rocks we decided to have drinks and snacks and a little horseplay. While packing up our garbage he noticed the gps in his pack and wanted to know what it was and why I put it there. Then he decides he wants to learn how to use it.
While we were waiting for Beth to come out he decided to use the gps on the road then he motioned to me that he was hiking in to meet her. After 25 minutes they weren’t back and I started to think about the cougar tracks. I only got about 100 yards and I ran into my son on his way out. The little rascal went most of the way on the trail, then cross country over the little ridge to the trail and back in a large loop. I was so proud of him, but also a little concerned with the cat tracks in the area. A few minutes later she came around the corner and we all hiked out together.
After a quick water break we drove a mile or so to the area where I found this pile last weekend.
It is only a short walk in and we quickly got set up.
Beth from the Foxpro.
Left view from shooter
Right view from shooter.
She was going to stay for an hour and we were going to go play in the creek.
Nothing knew as far as sign but it was a good day. Lots of deer, bike riders, brush pickers and I think I saw a couple of hunters.
